Suit Filed By Singer Against Nhl Team

OTTAWA — The battle between the Ottawa Senators and entertainer Paul Anka took another twist on Tuesday when Anka filed a $41-million suit against the NHL expansion franchise and its owners.

The suit, filed in Ontario Court, demands $26 million in damages for breach of contract and another $15 million in punitive damages related to loss of reputation for the Ottawa-born singer-songwriter.

Anka, whose involvement with the Senators was once deemed critical to the team`s financial success, maintains about 500 shares in the team on his original $547,000 investment.

But he renounced a 50 percent option on the team`s proposed $150-million arena following an acrimonious court case in February. Both Anka and Terrace Investments Ltd., the chief owner of the team, claimed the other side had willfully breached the original deal, which played heavily on Anka`s drawing power as an investor.

The Senators replied to Tuesday`s suit by threatening a counter claim.

``We will be filing appropriate claims for damages against Mr. Anka in due course, and of course, defend these latest unfounded and frivolous claims,`` Rod Bryden, the chief executive officer of Terrace, said in a release.